Liam Mellows make history with promotion to senior ranks
LIAM Mellows overcame Kiltormer 0-11 to 0-7 in the Galway county intermediate camogie final in Ballinasloe on Sunday after a dominant second half display saw them take the title for the first time.
Despite playing against a strong wind in the second half, the city side had too much for Kiltormer and deservedly claimed the victory.
The result means that Liam Mellows will compete at senior level for the first time in the club’s history in 2027. Having won the Junior A title just three years ago, their promotion represents huge progress for the city club in a short space of time, and their reward is a place in the senior B championship next season.
There was little to separate the sides in the opening half in Ballinasloe on Sunday, with the early exchanges indicating that this final would be closely contested. Kiltormer got off the mark in the opening minute, with a point coming from Corrina Goode.
Mellows soon opened their account at the other end with a score from Léana Nic Dhonncha. They dominated the next ten minutes, during which they added two points to their tally. A shot from Kate Kilkenny was deflected behind for a ’45 by Mellows ‘keeper Ciara O’Sullivan, and Ruth Kilkenny made no mistake from the ’45.
Shortly after, a foul on Caoimhe Kilkenny was converted by Ruth Kilkenny, to make it 0-3 to 0-1. County player Niamh McPeake soon had her first score at the other end, when she pointed a free from the right wing.
Ruth Kilkenny soon sent over an impressive 40 yard free into the wind to give Kiltormer a two point lead. But Mellows finished the half strongly, pressurising the Kiltormer defence into conceding two fouls, which McPeake converted to leave the sides level at half time.
With wind advantage to come in the second half, the east Galway side looked to be in a strong position. However, they were unfortunate to lose talented full forward Chloe Reilly to injury early in the second half.
McPeake tallied her fourth free on the resumption to give Mellows the lead for the first time. Shortly after, the county player delivered a free into Mellows’ attack where Danielle Grealish claimed possession, before passing to Ellen Burke, who sent over a point.
Five minutes later, a foul on Nic Dhonncha was converted by McPeake to give the city side a 0-7 to 0-4 lead. Mellows were dominant at this stage, and a well taken lineball from McPeake forced Kiltormer ‘keeper Michelle Gately to concede a ’45, which McPeake sent over to extend her sides lead.
Kiltormer were struggling to create scoring opportunities, while their backs were under pressure at the other end. Burke tallied her second point for Mellows, after a good pass from Róisín Hughes.
Kate Kilkenny got a badly needed score at the other end, after making a pacey run through the Mellows defence. The wing forward followed this score up with another two minutes later, after a good run and pass from Caoimhe Kilkenny.
Three points separated the sides but Mellows always looked capable of adding to their tally when necessary. Ciara Dolan fired over an excellent point from the right wing under pressure to make it 0-10 to 0-6 with ten minutes remaining.
At the other end, Kate Kilkenny drew a save from O’Sullivan, with Ruth Kilkenny converting the resulting ’45. The final score of the game came from McPeake, who tallied her sixth free for Mellows after a foul on Burke.
The player of the match was back defending in the final minute, denying Kiltormer’s Sophie Flynn a goal scoring opportunity with a well timed block. On a historic day for Liam Mellows, they had impressive performances from O’Sullivan in goals, as well as Jennifer Burke, Rachel Doherty, and Ria McPhilibin in defence. McPeake and Léana Nic Dhonncha were excellent in midfield, while Ellen
Sarah Lyons, Shauna Duane, and Ruth Kilkenny were impressive in defence for Kiltormer, while Caoimhe Kilkenny, Kate Kilkenny, Corrina Goode, and Caitlin Donnelly toiled diligently further up the field.
Liam Mellows: C. O’Sullivan; K. O’Grady, J. Burke, C. Hughes; R. Doherty, R. McPhilibin, C. Grealish; L. Nic Dhonncha (0-1), N. McPeake (0-7, 0-6 frees, 0-1 ’45); M. Mahon, E. Burke (0-2), C. Dolan (0-1); S. Folan, R. Hughes, D. Grealish. Subs: L. Cummins for C. Hughes (39).
Kiltormer: M. Gately; H. Kilkenny, H. Flynn, S. Duane; S. Lyons, R. Kilkenny, L. Larkin; C. Kilkenny, S. Kilkenny; K. Kilkenny, M. Kilkenny, C. Goode; L. Campbell, C. Reilly, C. Donnelly. Subs: S. Flynn for Reilly (inj. 36), R. Larkin for S. Kilkenny (40), E. Hanlon for M. Kilkenny (50).
Referee: Kevin Egan.